Neutron Activation Analysis of Rare Earth Elements (Sc, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb) in the Diagnosis of Ecosystems of Donbass

Under conditions of intense anthropogenic impact, the territory of modern Donbass is geochemically contrasting environment. Concentrations of rare earth elements (Sc, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb) in the natural ecosystems of the Northern Azov region (Central Donbass) were determined by indicator plants using neutron activation analysis. An open landscape experiment was carried out using moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. which has a high information response in the assessment of technogenic impacts. It allowed to establish the levels of regional contamination with rare earth elements, to identify correlation groups of related processes in the structural and functional features of indicator. The identified localities of geochemical heterogeneities in ecotopes are responsible for the adaptation of plants under stressful conditions. The most informative structural units of plants indicating the contamination with rare earth elements are abnormalities in the structure (terates, teratomorphs), violation of the morphogenesis processes of the embryonic apparatus of plants and areas of vegetative organs. Correlation analysis and principle component analysis were applied to reveal the relationship between the elements and abnormalities in the structure of plants. Relative accumulation factor, contamination factor and enrichment factor were calculated to evaluate the level of environment pollution and to identify the origin of elements.